Diversitech International Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:02 | Winning time: 3m 43.27s

Highway One O Five¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 103| CD

6/4

On a hat-trick after good-ground wins at Warwick (19f) and over C&D this spring. Did it cosily here last time and even an 8 lb rise may not stop him going in again.

Form: 333P1-1

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Maple²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 104

2/1

Fair maiden hurdler who added another creditable effort when second of 14 over 2m at Perth (soft) 23 days ago. A 2 lb nudge shouldn't prevent another prominent showing.

Form: U22432-

Portcammon^p1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 96

14/1

A fairly useful bumper winner for Willie Mullins. Has yet to match that in maiden/novice hurdles but could prove a different proposition now handicapping in cheekpieces. All the more interesting if backed.

Form: 1/47566-

Off To Alabama²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: J Mackie| OR: 95| D

14/1

Sprung a 66/1 surprise on Wetherby bumper debut in February 2024 but well beaten in 2 bumpers/3 hurdles since. Much more realistic chance now handicapping but would still need to see market support to consider.

Form: 16/8646-

Blackijo Dagrostis^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 95

11/1

Winless following 8 attempts between the flags and modest form over hurdles for current yard, including weakening into sixth on Worcester handicap debut 11 days ago.

Form: 45P45-6

Granny B^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 80

9/2

Poor maiden hurdler. One of better efforts when 6¾ lengths third of 9 to Highway One O Five over C&D 14 days ago but even an 8 lb swing in the weights doesn't look enough for her to turn the tables.

Form: 37460-3

Forecasts

Highway One O Five (6/4), Maple (2/1), Granny B (9/2), Blackijo Dagrostis (11/1), Portcammon (14/1), Off To Alabama (14/1)

HIGHWAY ONE O FIVE is taken to defy the handicapper again and complete a hat-trick. The reliable Maple rates an obvious danger, while a market move for Neil Mulholland handicap newcomer Portcammon would also bring him firmly into the reckoning.